The VSTiBox is a Windows based machine that has the power to run the most heavy VST's, while interacting with it like a musical instrument. Because everything is integrated, it is easy to bring to a rehearsal or gig and hook it up.

I'm intrigued, partly because the idea is slick, but also because I'm interested in ways to manipulate Renoise in real-time using MIDI/OSC, scripting, and assorted controllers and controller middleware.

Impressive, very ambitious project. I do think he made it harder than necessary in some ways. Designing and soldering his own surface-mount PCB for a controller? Writing custom firmware in Keil? The "silicone buttons" which apparently use a PCB copper pattern as part of the contact - and turned out to be flaky? To me, these are choices for a mass-produced item where you have time and budget to iterate, and want to make the final product cheap.

I think you could use an Arduino for the controller board and have a much easier development curve. And no, there's no latency problem or flakiness inherent there, provided you don't add any libraries to the Arduino. I would use high quality panel mount buttons, possibly EAO or arcade buttons. You could probably make the whole case out of 1/2" plywood, including the front panel. Then a local cabinet shop can CNC cut it from your drawings. Maybe radius the edges and wrap in black Tolex?